Penang governor: Crime involves complex interplay of factors

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak said it is important to understand that race or ethnicity is not a factor in crime, which involves a complex interplay of factors.

In his keynote address at the 10th Forum on Crime and Policing at the Jen Penang George Town by Shangri-La Penang on Thursday, he said crime involved a complex interplay of social, political, religious, education and economic factors.

"I am of the firm view that crime is colour-blind.

"It is not limited to race and ethnicity, nor is it like the way it is stereotyped and portrayed in society."

He said the notion that crime can be determined by race and ethnicity perpetuated harmful stereotypes and deepened divisions in society, as it was an oversimplification of the multifaceted nature of crime and undermined efforts to address its root causes effectively.

He said racial and ethnic profiling and other discriminatory practices had no place in Malaysia.

"Civil societies can play a positive role in preventing and eliminating biases in law enforcement agencies and judicial systems.

"In working to eliminate stereotyping in the criminal justice system, civil societies can make a huge contribution towards creating a society where justice is blind to skin colour, social status, political position, religious beliefs, education level and economic status."

He said addressing the root causes was a vital part of combatting crime.

"By investing in education, creating jobs, implementing social welfare programmes, addressing substance abuse, providing rehabilitation and treatment programmes and amending outdated laws and policies, we can uplift communities that are disproportionately affected by crime.

"These measures can break the cycle of crime and provide people with the resources and support they need to make positive choices without resorting to crime."

Fuzi urged the media to play a role in shaping public perception of crime and criminals.

"The media, both mainstream and social, is extremely influential in shaping our perception of crime and offenders.

"The way criminals are portrayed in movies can affect the youth.

"The media should be more accountable and responsible in fact-based reporting and seek to investigate the underlying reasons for crime and criminal behaviour."